Miguel Cotto vs. Shane Mosley

Last updated
Fast and Furious
Miguel Cotto vs. Shane Mosley.jpg
DateNovember 10, 2007
Venue Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
Title(s) on the line WBA welterweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Miguel Cotto Shane Mosley
Nickname Junito Sugar
Hometown Caguas, Puerto Rico Lynwood, California, U.S
Purse $5,000,000 $2,000,000
Pre-fight record 30–0 (25 KO) 44–4 (37 KO)
Age 27 years 36 years, 2 months
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight146+14 lb (66 kg)146+14 lb (66 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA
Welterweight Champion
The Ring
No. 2 Ranked Welterweight
The Ring pound-for-pound No. 10 ranked fighter
WBA
No. 1 Ranked Welterweight
The Ring
No. 3 Ranked Welterweight
3-division world champion
Result
Miguel Cotto wins by UD (115-113, 116-113, 115-113)

Miguel Cotto vs. Shane Mosley , billed as Fast and Furious, was a professional boxing match contested on November 10, 2007, for the WBA welterweight championship. [1] The bout at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Cotto won via unanimous decision.

Contents

Background

Miguel Cotto was a rising star in the boxing world, becoming the WBA welterweight champion in December 2006. He was still undefeated and had a style that was both technically and physically strong, having scored victories over established names like Zab Judah and Paul Malignaggi. His victory over Judah in June 2007 had elevated him back into The Ring pound for pound top 10. [2]

Shane Mosley, on the other hand, was a more experienced fighter with an impressive career record. He had won titles in three weight classes and his name was established in the boxing world thanks to his strength against fighters such as Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. This cast doubt on whether he would be able to overcome the young, undefeated Cotto. [3] There were several reasons for the fight: Cotto's status as the undefeated champion and Mosley's desire to maintain his place at the top. The fight was promoted as a clash of styles, Cotto, the young and dynamic boxer with power and aggression, against Mosley, the technical and faster veteran. [4] [5] [6]

The bout was announced on August 15 and would be promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, with HBO PPV broadcasting. [7] [8] The title of the fight was called "Fast & Furious", not in connection with the film, but to highlight the fast, explosive style of the two boxers. [9]

The fights

Casamayor vs. Santa Cruz

Fast and Furious: Joel Casamayor vs. José Santa Cruz
Title(s) on the line The Ring and WBC "Interim" lightweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Joel Casamayor José Santa Cruz
Nickname "El Cepillo"
Hometown Guantánamo, Guantánamo Province, Cuba Michoacán, Mexico
Pre-fight record 34–3–1 (16 KO) 25–2 (14 KO)
Age 36 years, 3 months 27 years, 2 months
Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 134 lb (61 kg)133+34 lb (61 kg)
Style Southpaw Orthodox
Recognition The Ring and WBC "Interim"
Lightweight Champion
WBC
No. 1 Ranked Lightweight
The Ring
No. 7 Ranked Lightweight
Result
Casamayor defeats Santa Cruz by split decision

The first of the two world title bouts on the card saw Lightweight champion Joel Casamayor make the first defence of his title against José Santa Cruz. [10] [11]

After defeating Diego Corrales in their November 2006 rematch to win the WBC, The Ring and Lineal lightweight championship, Casamayor was stripped of the WBC belt in February 2007 for refusing to fight his mandatory challenger David Díaz, opting to face WBO titleholder Acelino Freitas, who had defeated him back in 2002. [12]

The fight

A minute into the bout Santa Cruz scored a flash knockdown, landing with a counter straight left hand to the body. He would could continue to dominate the bout, outthrowing and outlanding the champion. According to Compubox Santa Cruz landed 246 of 801 punches (31%), compared to Casamayor landing 129 of 502 punches (26%).

Tony Paolillo scored the bout 114–113 for Santa Cruz overruled by Ron McNair and Frank Lombardi had it 114–113 for Casamayor giving him a split decision victory. HBO's unofficial judge, Harold Lederman had it 118–109 and ESPN had it 119–108 both for Santa Cruz. [13]

Aftermath

The decision was booed the crowd and was immediately criticized by the HBO commentary team with Jim Lampley saying "Just when you think you've seen everything, just when you think you've seen decisions so bizarre that you think you'll never see anything worse than that, along comes something like this." Veteran trainer and colour commentator Emanuel Steward agreed, saying "This was a bad, disgusting decision, and that's putting it mildly." [14]

Preceded by Joel Casamayor's bouts
10 November 2007
Succeeded by
Preceded by José Santa Cruz's bouts
10 November 2007
Succeeded by
vs. Miguel Angel Munguia

Margarito vs. Johnson

In the chief support, former WBO titleholder Antonio Margarito scored a first round stoppage over Golden Johnson.

Preceded by Antonio Margarito's bouts
10 November 2007
Succeeded by
Preceded by Golden Johnson's bouts
10 November 2007
Retired

Main Event

Rounds 1–6

The fight started with Mosley showcasing his speed and technique, while Cotto tried to apply pressure with his power and constant attack. Mosley had moments of success, with quick combinations and his famous counter-attacks. Cotto, however, stood his ground and tried to put Mosley in the corner with his heavy body shots and punches. The first six rounds were fairly even, but Cotto started to execute his strategy better and better and Mosley felt the power of Cotto's punches. [15]

Rounds 7–9

From the seventh round onwards Cotto clearly started to gain the upper hand. His body shots began to have a deadly impact on Mosley, who was increasingly forced to fight defensively. Mosley tried to counter it with his speed and technique, but Cotto was adamant and continued to lead the attack.

Rounds 10–12

In the final rounds it was clear that Cotto was in control of the fight. Mosley was tired and his reactions were slower than in the early rounds. Cotto mounted a disciplined and methodical attack, while Mosley worked hard to fight back, but it proved not enough to turn the tide. [16]

The result

After 12 rounds, Miguel Cotto was declared the winner via unanimous decision. The official scorecards were 115–113, 116–113, and 115–113 in Cotto's favor. [17] HBO's unofficial ringside scorer Harold Lederman had it 115–113 for Cotto.

The fight was praised for the intensity and perseverance of both fighters, with Cotto showing his dominance in the later rounds. [15]

Aftermath

After the victory, Cotto was visibly happy and relieved. He was praised for his tactical approach, especially in the later rounds as he controlled Mosley's speed and power. His trainer, Evangelista Cotto, was very proud of his pupil.

Mosley, although defeated, was good sportsmanship and respectful. He acknowledged that Cotto was the better fighter the night of the fight. After the fight, Mosley said Cotto's body shots were heavy and made it difficult for him to use his speed and technique. Mosley was clearly disappointed, but he showed class in his defeat showing good sportsmanship and respect. [18] He also acknowledged that Cotto was the better fighter on the night. [17] Mosley praised Cotto as a worthy opponent, saying "Miguel was very strong, not only was he a powerful puncher but he can box. He mixed it up and did a hell of a good job. He's a young lion on the way to greatness." [19]

Following his victory Cotto was linked to either the winner of the upcoming Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Ricky Hatton mega bout, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Margarito or Paul Williams. [20] [21]

The fight garnered approximately 400,000 PPV buys. [22]

Undercard

Confirmed bouts: [23]

WinnerLoserWeight division/title belt(s) disputedResult
Flag of Mexico.svg Antonio Margarito Flag of the United States.svg Golden Johnson vacent WBO Inter-Continental Welterweight title1st round TKO
Flag of Cuba.svg Joel Casamayor Flag of Mexico.svg José Santa Cruz The Ring World Lightweight titleSplit decision
Flag of the United States.svg Victor Ortiz Flag of Colombia.svg Carlos Maussa Welterweight (10 rounds)1st round KO
Non-TV bouts
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Billy Dib Flag of Tanzania.svg Rogers MtagwaSuper featherweight (8 rounds)Unanimous decision
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Jesús Rojas Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Carlos DiazSuper bantamweight (6 rounds)6th round TKO
Flag of the United States.svg Ronney Vargas Flag of the United States.svg Bryan MullisLight middleweight (4 rounds)Unanimous decision
Flag of the United States.svg Mike Faragon Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Javier GarciaLight welterweight (4 rounds)2nd round TKO
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Anderson Flag of Guyana.svg Olade ThomasLight middleweight (4 rounds)Unanimous decision

Broadcasting

CountryBroadcaster
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland & Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Setanta Sport
Flag of the United States.svg United States HBO

References

  1. "Miguel Angel Cotto vs. Shane Mosley". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  2. "Ring Ratings as of July 2, 2007". Archived from the original on 4 July 2007.
  3. "Bitter end for Sugar?". skysports.com. Sky Sports. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  4. Lee Bellfield (9 November 2007). "Boxing Preview Analysis: Miguel Cotto vs. Shane Mosley". saddoboxing.com. Saddo Boxing. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  5. Rick Reeno (9 November 2007). "BoxingScene Staff Predictions: Cotto-Mosley". boxingscene.com. BoxingScene. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  6. "Cotto guarantees win". skysports.com. Sky Sports. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  7. ESPN (15 August 2007). "Cotto-Mosley to take place on November 10th". ESPN. Archived from the original on 13 November 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
  8. "Miguel Cotto-Shane Mosley Official Release – Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. August 15, 2007. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  9. "Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto announce upcoming fight in New York". UPI. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  10. "Joel Casamayor vs. Jose Armando Santa Cruz". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  11. "Margarito, Casamayor, Ortiz highlight Cotto-Mosley undercard". espn.com. ESPN. Associated Press. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  12. Team Casamayor (22 February 2007). "Casamayor statement on being stripped". Boxingscene. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  13. Dan Rafael (10 November 2007). "In controversial decision, Casamayor defeats Cruz". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  14. Scott Christ (12 November 2007). "More on the Casamayor controversy". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  15. 1 2 Vivek Wallace. "Cotto Outpoints Mosley". East Side Boxing. Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2007.
  16. "Cotto-Mosley: Round-by-round". espn.com. ESPN. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  17. 1 2 Dan Rafael (11 November 2007). "Cotto takes action-packed fight against Mosley, retains belt". espn.com. New York: ESPN. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  18. "Cotto claims points verdict". skysports.com. Sky Sports. 11 November 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  19. "Cotto wins decision over Mosley". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 11 November 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  20. Ron Borges (11 November 2007). "Career-defining victory over Mosley sets up big paydays for Cotto". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  21. "Cotto heads the queue". skysports.com. Sky Sports. 14 November 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  22. "Scott's Top 20 Fights, 2007 -- No. 6 -- Miguel Cotto v. Shane Mosley". Bad Left Hook. 2007-12-29. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  23. "BoxRec - event".

HBO's coverage of the main event

Preceded by Miguel Cotto's bouts
10 November 2007
Succeeded by
Preceded by Shane Mosley's bouts
10 November 2007
Succeeded by